Q. We’ve built a successful brokerage, and this year looks like it’s going to be huge. How do I stay sharp as a leader and make sure the business keeps performing without people quietly burning out?
When a brokerage is performing well, the biggest risk isn’t lack of effort – it’s running too long without checking the dials. Growth creates momentum, but it also amplifies whatever’s already in the system, including pressure points leaders don’t always see.
Staying sharp as a leader in a high-pace environment starts with shifting focus from outputs to signals. Pay attention to how decisions are being made, how quickly issues are escalated, and whether people are still willing to challenge ideas or raise concerns. These are early indicators of whether the business is operating in a sustainable performance zone or edging into overload.
It’s also important to recognise that responsibility concentrates stress at the top. Leaders often carry the weight quietly, but that mindset can unintentionally set the tone for the rest of the team. When leaders don’t pause to recalibrate, teams often interpret pace as expectation and silence as strength.
High-performing brokerages build regular moments to slow the system down just enough to assess how it’s coping. That might look like structured check-ins, clearer role boundaries, or external perspective during periods of rapid growth. The aim isn’t to soften standards, but to keep decision making clear and people engaged.
Strong leadership during a boom isn’t about endurance. It’s about timing, awareness, and course-correction. The brokerages that keep performing are the ones that notice small shifts early and adjust before pressure turns into burnout.
If you have a question that you’d like answered by psychotherapist Bronwyn Penhaligon in the Your Health in Mind section of The Adviser, you can email your question in confidence to [email protected].
Or if you feel you need more support, you can visit penhaligons.com.au to schedule a one-on-one appointment.
